Multipole push-button switch



Y 0:1124, 19,33. s1-MEL 1,931,111

MULTIPOLE PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Filed D90. 29, 1932 zl Y @A L' Insuazim xfd h/sma/ Patented Oct. 24, 1933 UNITED l STATES 1,931,711 MULTIPOLE PUSH-BUTTON SWITCH Walter Stahel, Baden, Switzerland Application December 29, 1932, Serial No. 649,384,` 'l

, and in Switzerland June 27, 1931 10 Claims. (ci. 20o-16) In multi-pole push-button switches `the individual movable contacts have hitherto been secured to a common insulating cross-bar rigidly connected with the push button. 'In order to lengthen the path for the arcs that occur when the switch is opened, and at the same time to keep the switch small, insulated reproof partitions have been provided between the fixed poles of the switch,

In the push-button switch according to the present invention the carrierr for the movable switch contacts consists of two pressed insulating plates perpendicular to the direction of movement, each of which carries as many contacts as the switch has poles, and which are secured to the push button parallel to one another.

A three-pole push-button switch according to the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 shows the switch in elevation,

Figure 2 in cross section, and

Figure 3 in plan.

The push button a is hollow, and slides against the pressure of a spring f upon a bolt c, secured to a base plate b, and serving as a straight-line guide. The push button a is widened out at its inner end into the form of a disc d which has a square projection e. On to the disc d are boltedtwo plates g of insulating material, made by pressing, which bear against two parallel sides of the square projection, each plate being secured by means of a single screw bolt h. lThe plates g are perpendicular to the direction of movement and are parallel to one another. They each carry in notches lc three contacts i of channelshaped sheet copper, which partially surround the plates. When the push button a is depressed, resilient switch contacts m secured upon the base plate b, as shown in Figure 2, project into the notches 7c. On the outer side the notches lc of each plate g are closed by a common thin insulating plate n. Between the opposite contacts i of the two contact-carrying plates g electrical connections may be established by means of releasable metal pieces o. The contact-carrying plates g are each provided with four rib-like anti-arcing partitions p, of which the two middle ones separate the contacts i mounted on the same plate, and slide between the iixed contacts m when the switch is opened. The plates g are so arranged that when the cover is removed they serve at the same time to protect the stationary contacts from touching one another, these contacts being under voltage when the switch is connected.

If -it is desired to actuate an auxiliary contact when switching, there may for example be provided between the plates g an insulating roller r acting as a cam, which, when the push button is depressed, pushes against a projection on a resilient contactq, and presses itagainst a cooperating contact s.

Numerous mod iiications' of the invention are obviously possible.

What I claim is:

1. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising a movable contact carrier made of insulating material and consisting of two spaced plates extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the push button, and on each of 7 these plates a number of movable contacts equal to the number of poles of the switch, the said contact plates being secured to the push button parallel to one another and disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of movement of the carrier.

2. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising two parallel and opposed abutments on the push button, a movable contact carrier made of A pressed4 insulating material and consisting oi two plates extending at right angles to the direcf f tion of movement of the push button, the carrier plates being arranged at opposite sides of the push button and bearing against the said abutments, two fastening screws, each carrier plate being secured to the push button by one of these screws, and on each of these plates a number of movable contacts equal to the number of poles of the switch, the said contact plates being secured to the push button parallel to one another.

3. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising a movable contact carrier made of pressed insulating material and consisting of two plates disposed on opposite sides of and extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the push button, each of the carrier plates being formed with a number of notches equal to the number of poles of the switch, and a movable Contact secured in each of the notches.

4. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising a movable contact carrier made of insulating material and consisting of two plates extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the push button, and a U-shaped switch contact lodged in each of the notches and embracing part of the carrier plate with its limbs.

5. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising a movable contact carrier made of insulating material and consisting of two plates extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the push button, on each of these plates a number of movable contacts equal to the number of poles of the switch, a number of stationary contacts equal to the number of movable contacts, and a switch cover, said carrier plates having notches therein equal in number to the number of poles of the switch, and an insulating plate on each of the carrier plates closing the outside of said notches.

6. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising a movable contact carrier made of insulating material and consisting of two spaced plates extending at right angles to the direction of movement of the push button, on each of these plates a number of movable contacts equal to the number of poles of the switch, a number of stationary contacts equal to the number ot movable contacts, each stationary contact being adapted to be engaged by one of the movable contacts when the push button is depressed, a pair o1 subsidiary contacts, and a cam attached to both o! the plates of the contact carrier adapted to close the subsidiary contacts when the push button is depressed.

7. A multi-pole push-button switch as claimed in claim 6. the said cam being constructed as an insulating roller.

8. A multi-pole push-button switch as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a number of releasable metallic links equal to the number of poles of the switch, each link bridging the space between and connecting a movable contact on one carrier plate with a corresponding movable contact on the other carrier plate.

9. A multi-pole push-button switch, comprising a base plate, a single guide pin secured to the base plate, a hollow push button slidable upon the guide pin towards and away from the base plate, a spring tending to move the push button away from the base plate, a contact carrier consisting of two plates of insulating material secured to the push button parallel to one another and extending at right angles to the direction of itsmovement, and on each o1' these plates a number of movable contacts equal to the number of poles of the switch.

10. A multi-pole push-button switch, com- Drising a push button, a broadened flange at the base of the push button, two parallel abutments on the push button, a movable contact carrier consisting of two plates of pressed insulating material secured to the ilange of the push button and extending at right angles to the direction of its movement, each of the carrier plates bearing against one of the said abutments, and on each of these plates a number of movable contacts equal to the number of poles of the switch.

WALTER. STAHEL. 

